CHATHAM — At Schoolhouse Pond bathing beach, crowded conditions are nothing new. The small stretch of sand, which gets smaller when the water table is high, is Chatham’s only residents-only beach. But during the pandemic, those close quarters are a public health concern. State regulations designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 require beachgoers to maintain six feet of social distance, and groupings of...

CHATHAM – In 2010, marine biologist Dr. Greg Skomal tagged an 18-foot white shark off the coast of the Cape. She was given the name Curly and is, to date, the largest great white shark ever tagged along these shores. While the real Curly is likely still swimming somewhere in the Atlantic, shark enthusiasts can get a sense of her impressive size by visiting the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Shark Center in Ch...

Hessler Claims Retaliation Over Criticism, Senior Center Support CHATHAM – The former chairman of the zoning board of appeals is accusing the board of selectmen of not reappointing him in retaliation for his leadership of the effort to build a new senior center on Stepping Stones Road and his criticism of the selectmen's leadership. Robert Hessler, who served on the zoning board for a decade, was not reappo...

CHATHAM – The pandemic has taken an enormous toll on small businesses everywhere, and the St. Christopher's Gift and Consignment Shop on Main Street in Chatham is no exception. After more than 40 years in business the shop will close its doors for good at the end of July. The decision to close was the result of a number of factors, according to Pam Hufnagel, a member of the church vestry committee which made t...

A Lesson In Boating Safety CHATHAM — Four young men are lucky to be alive after their boat capsized in the North Cut Friday afternoon. Officials say the case is proof of the town’s rescue capabilities – and the need for common-sense boating safety. The four men were fishing in a 15-foot Boston Whaler when their boat was overturned by a wave. All four went in the water, Fire Chief David DePasquale said. ...

CHATHAM — Judging from the crowded parking lots, busy shops and restaurants, and the steady traffic on roadways and waterways, the Independence Day weekend was a busy one – despite COVID-19. As of early this week, there had been 150 deaths from the novel coronavirus in Barnstable County, with a case count of over 1,500 people since the start of the pandemic. “The public health data continues to show us po...

CHATHAM – When Abigail Dudley moved from Massachusetts to Oregon six years ago, she knew it was going to be temporary. When it came time to move back, she wanted to look for a job in a small school system, and after doing some research, the only district she applied to was Monomoy. “It just all seemed so exciting, just so much more innovative and kind of like cutting edge from what I would think a teeny little...

Popular Tourist Attraction Finally Completed A Year Behind Schedule CHATHAM – The newly rebuilt observation deck at the fish pier is getting rave reviews for its solid construction and spaciousness. It better be; the $1.7 million project took 18 months to build, more than a year more than originally planned. “I thought it was awesome,” said Selectman Jeffrey Dykens. “It's just too bad it took so long.” B...

CHATHAM – Nearly 18 months after construction started, the new fish pier observation deck finally opened to the public Thursday. A few visitors were watching fishing boats unload and seals swimming in Aunt Lydia's Cove from the new, spacious deck. A board of health order mandates that face masks be worn on the observation deck from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Construction of the $1.7 million deck began in January 2019...

CHATHAM – For the first time in eight years, “Jaws” won't be playing on Chatham's Main Street. The summer blockbuster has become a popular favorite at the Chatham Orpheum Theater, showing to sell-out crowds despite the fact that it was released 45 years ago. But with the ongoing pandemic, the Orpheum remains dark, with no indication of when it will reopen. “We're hoping for this fall, September or October,”...

CHATHAM — For many, the end of 2020 will be a milestone worth celebrating. But because of the pandemic, they won’t be marking New Year’s Eve the usual way at First Night Chatham. Late last week, event organizers announced that because of the pandemic, First Night Chatham will not be held as a live event. “It’s a tremendous disappointment,” First Night spokesman John Reed said. More than 300 volunteers loo...

CHATHAM — There are many workers on Cape Cod who are ready to return to their jobs, but can’t do so because of the lack of child care. State rules designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 have hobbled preschools, day care centers and summer recreation programs, and those that do open will have very limited enrollment. On Saturday Night, Theresa Malone of Monomoy Community Services learned that their request to...